Auckland Diamonds

Auckland Diamonds
Founded1998; 26 years ago (1998)
Disbanded2007; 17 years ago (2007)
Based inWaitakere City
RegionAuckland Region
Home venueTrusts Stadium
LeagueCoca-Cola Cup/National Bank Cup

Uniform

Auckland Diamonds were a former New Zealand netball team based in Waitakere City, Auckland Region. As a result, they were also known as Auckland Waitakere Diamonds. Between 1998 and 2007, Diamonds played in the Coca-Cola Cup/National Bank Cup league. Diamonds finished as semi-finalists on four occasions – 1998, 1999, 2005 and 2007. Ahead of the 2008 season, Diamonds merged with Northern Force to form the new ANZ Championship team, Northern Mystics.

History

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Founding members

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In 1998, together with, Bay of Plenty Magic, Capital Shakers, Canterbury Flames, Counties Manukau Cometz, Northern Force, Otago Rebels, Southern Sting, Waikato Wildcats and Western Flyers, Diamonds, were founding members of the Coca-Cola Cup/National Bank Cup league.[1][2] Together with Cometz and Force, Diamonds were one of three teams from the Auckland Region to play in the league. Due to poor ticket sales, the three teams faced early suggestions that they should merge.[3][4] Diamonds enjoyed a local rivalry with Cometz. In the six seasons the teams played against each other, Diamonds won four and Cometz won two.[5]

Semi-finalists

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Diamonds finished as semi-finalists on four occasions – 1998, 1999, 2005 and 2007.[6] In 1998 they were defeated in the semis by the inaugural champions, Otago Rebels.[7] In 2005 they lost out to Southern Sting.[8]

Merger

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Ahead of the 2008 season, Diamonds merged with Northern Force to form the new ANZ Championship team, Northern Mystics.[9][10][11]

Home venues

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Between 2004 and 2007, Diamonds played the majority of their home matches at Waitakere's Trusts Stadium.[12][13] They previously played home matches at Kohimarama's ASB Stadium.[14]

Stats

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Season Position Won Drawn Lost
1998 4th
1999 4th
2000 6th
2001 7th
2002 6th
2003[12] 5th
2004[15] 5th
2005[13] 4th
2006[13] 5th
2007[16] 4th 5 0 3?

Source:[6]

Notable former players

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Internationals

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 New Zealand
 New Zealand Fast5
 Australia
 England
 Fiji
 Jamaica
 Samoa

ANZ Championship players

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Sources:[6][12][13][14][15][17][18][19][20]

Captains

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Years
Anna Rowberry[5][21][22][23] c. 2001–2005
Victoria Edward 2006
Stephanie Bond[13][24][25] 2007

Coaches

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Head coaches

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Coach Years
Georgie Salter[26][27] 2001–2002
Joan Hodson[28][29] 2002–2004
Sue Hawkins[6][13][15][29] 2004–2007

Main sponsors

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Sponsors Seasons
SkyCity[19] c.2000
The Trusts[6][13][16] 20xx–2007

References

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  1. ^ "Celebrating 25 years of elite netball". anzpremiership.co.nz. 16 February 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  2. ^ "Sting History 1998". www.sting.co.nz. Archived from the original on 26 May 2006. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Netball: Coca-Cola Cup has lost its fizz for Auckland". www.nzherald.co.nz. 30 June 2000. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  4. ^ "ANZ Premiership: Mystics dedicate grand final win to late Silver Fern Margaret Forsyth". stuff.co.nz. 8 August 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Netball: Diamonds scratch up 8-goal win". www.nzherald.co.nz. 25 April 2003. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e "The National Bank Cup teams – 2007 Diamonds Team". www.netballnz.co.nz. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Greatest moments in Otago sport - Number 24". www.odt.co.nz. 21 October 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  8. ^ "Netball: Sting go through in National Bank Cup". www.nzherald.co.nz. 29 May 2005. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Netball: Nod to all five Tasman Trophy bids". www.nzherald.co.nz. 8 May 2007. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  10. ^ "Mystics join forces". www.foxsports.com.au. 6 April 2008. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  11. ^ "A look back on the makings of the Mystics for Heritage Round". www.northernmystics.co.nz. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  12. ^ a b c "Netball: The courts are now in session". www.nzherald.co.nz. 17 April 2004. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g "Netball: National Championship teams". www.nzherald.co.nz. 4 April 2007. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  14. ^ a b "Netball: Overseas imports spice national league". www.nzherald.co.nz. 30 June 2000. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  15. ^ a b c "Netball: Thinking the unthinkable - a new champion". www.nzherald.co.nz. 7 April 2005. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Courtside Round Seven Review – Sting and Magic to host Semi Finals" (PDF). scoop.co.nz. 5 June 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  17. ^ "Netball – (2001) Coca-Cola Cup Squads". www.nzherald.co.nz. 3 November 2000. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  18. ^ "Netball – (2001) Coca-Cola Cup Squads". www.nzherald.co.nz. 23 January 2001. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  19. ^ a b "Netball: Tall timber boost for Cometz side". www.nzherald.co.nz. 30 June 2000. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  20. ^ "Netball: Eight new faces for Diamonds". www.nzherald.co.nz. 31 January 2005. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  21. ^ "Netball: Magic battle to beat Diamonds". www.nzherald.co.nz. 22 April 2001. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  22. ^ "Netball: Diamonds keep semi bid alive". www.nzherald.co.nz. 3 May 2003. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  23. ^ "National Bank Cup Round 2". www.photosport.nz. 15 April 2005. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  24. ^ "Netball: Diamonds are forever says Bond". www.nzherald.co.nz. 4 April 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  25. ^ "Competition from cashed up codes 'massive challenge' for netball". www.rnz.co.nz. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  26. ^ "Posthumous honour for top netball coach and former Silver Fern". stuff.co.nz. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  27. ^ "Salter to be honoured by memorial trophy". www.odt.co.nz. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  28. ^ "Netball: Joan Hodson to coach Diamonds". www.nzherald.co.nz. 10 September 2002. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  29. ^ a b "Netball: Hodson replaced as Diamonds coach". www.nzherald.co.nz. 20 September 2004. Retrieved 8 June 2023.